The Grace Brethren Church in Wooster, Ohio, a congregation with deep roots in the Brethren movement, will host the historic 2011 gathering of the Grace Brethren family.
Originally known as the First Brethren Church, it began as a Bible class in 1938-39. Some of the ?rst teachers included Alva J. McClain, John Aeby, J. C. Beal, Wayne Baker, and Charles W. Mayes.
The congregation organized on September25, 1939, and the last living active charter member, Halcyon S. Palmer, just passed into the presence of the Lord on December 27, 2010, at the age of 98.
The church has only had three senior pastors. John H. Squires served from 1939 to 1945. Kenneth B. Ashman was called in 1945 and served until he was called home to be with the Lord in 1981. Under Pastor Ashman the church conducted the “Your Morning Devotions” radio broadcast for 33 years, and the ?rst church building was built at the corner of Burbank and Reed Roads.
Robert Fetterhoff, who was associate pastor when Kenneth Ashman died, became pastor in 1981 and has guided the church since that time, including the development of the current facility and the stablishment of Wooster Christian School.
In 1986 the congregation voted to purchase30 acres on Wooster’s north side, and that property was subsequently exchanged for the current 40 acres at 4599 Burbank Road. Construction on the 55,000-square-foot facility began in 1991 and the facility was dedicated in November of 1992. Some of the associate pastors who have served the Wooster church include George Johnson, James Custer, Knute arson, Thomas Miller, Bud Olszewski, Tad Hobert, and others.
Current ministry associate staff include David Lawson (administration), Steve Kern (spiritual growth), Ivanildo Trindade (outreach), Bob Doerr (student ministries), Nick Cleveland (high school ministries), Randy Moomaw (worship and seniors), Donna Yost (children’s and women’s ministries), Matt Carter (contemporary worship), and Daron Butler (cross cultural ministries).
The latest 20,000 square foot addition to the facility was completed in 2008, and Sunday morning attendance now is about 1,700.
Learn more about the Grace Brethren Church in Wooster, Ohio at woostergrace.org. For directions to the church, see woostergrace.org/wooster-church/directions.